Sunlit Bench

The simplest of life mottoes is "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you."

If you were going for something a little longer, this thought might just work:

"Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don't strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt."

Sunset at the Winery

Seventeenth century French author François de La Rochefoucauld once said:

"True eloquence consists in saying all that is fit to be said, and leaving out all that is not fit."

Eerie Lincoln Memorial

What do you do when you're waiting at a long traffic light in the nation's capital? Take a photograph using your iPhone of your surroundings, of course!

I promise I don't talk or text on my phone while driving (and you shouldn't either), but occasionally when the car isn't moving, I do grab my cell phone and snap a quick picture of life happening around me.

Quickly snapping a picture through a wet car window can result in a great photographic moment, like this one of an eerie Lincoln Memorial during a rainy twilight.

Dealing with Life's Dilemmas

Life seems to be one big long series of dilemmas and it's exhausting.

Decisions need to be made all the time. What do I eat for lunch? How frequently should we meet for that work project? When is the best time to travel for the holidays?

Some dilemmas are minor and others much larger. There are dilemmas that take only minutes to resolve and other dilemmas that take weeks, months or even years to determine a resolution.

Looking out at the horizon or at a sunset like the one in today's photograph creates the false illusion that the world is simple and easy. Perhaps the "illusion" is really the truth. It's possible that the "complicated world" story is what we tell ourselves to feel better about our habit of making life more difficult than it needs to be.

Maybe we should just quiet our minds by thinking of a peaceful ocean to resolve dilemmas quickly and easily and find solutions when there seems to be none.

Yes, This is Good

What do you get when you watch the sun setting, clouds forming interestingly, and the wind whipping up the river water? A great photo moment.

Even though the dolphin-manatee cruise boat was moving briskly, I was still able to steady my camera to take this photograph of the sunset on the Indian River in Orlando, Florida.

It's just another image that reaffirms for me that there must be a higher power. It's hard to believe that all of this beauty was created and orchestrated by just natural order. At some point, some entity -- and I'll leave you to name it -- put this nature canvas together, stood back and said, "Yes, this is good."

Sailed into the Mystic

Not sure why, but this photograph reminds me of Van Morrison's song "Into the Mystic." I took it yesterday of my friend's dad looking at the sunset during a dolphin-manatee cruise of Orlando's Indian River.

I'll let you decide. Here's the first verse of "Into the Mystic":

We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic.

Doesn't it fit perfectly? Here he was looking so peaceful as we sailed toward the setting sun.

Perhaps Morrison intended a different translation for this song, but that's what the song means to me. Being out on the water with good friends making special memories.

Cloudy Sky Sunset

Cloudy skies make for amazing sunsets. Over the past week, we've had cloudy or overcast skies around sunset, producing spectacular color displays in the sky.

It is as if the clouds form a special canvas for the sun's rays to paint the sky between the horizon line and the edge of the cloud cover.

The daily panorama often reminds me of the "calm before the storm," and serves as a quiet, sweet prelude before the rain and thunderstorms begin.

My Wish for Us All

Today, my family says goodbye to a very special person.

Aunt Kathy and I shared many loves. We loved family. We loved talking about movies, fashion and the latest plays. And we especially loved music.

We constantly swapped our favorite CDs and introduced each other to new sounds and artists. We even would sing to ourselves when we thought no one was listening.

In honor of our shared love of music, it is fitting that I look to song lyrics to express what I hope Aunt Kathy felt she achieved in her shortened life, and what I know my aunt always wished for me.

Although my wish for more time together was not fulfilled, I'm wishing now for all of us to live lives full of everything we want it to be.

Don't wait for your life to start. Begin it now. Dream big. Worry less. And live a life full of giving and receiving love.

It is the perfect way to honor our loved ones no longer with us physically, and the best way for us to live life to the fullest.

"My Wish"
Performed by Rascal Flatts

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin' 'til you find the window
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you and the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish, yeah yeah

My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
(My wish for you)

This is my wish
(My wish for you)
I hope you know somebody loves you
(My wish for you)
May all your dreams stay big
(My wish for you)

Finding My Words

Last week, my family suffered a great loss. My Aunt Kathy, who I've blogged about previously, passed away after a year-long battle with colon cancer. As my cousin so beautifully phrased it, she fought cancer with great courage and grace and in the end, died surrounded by love.

It's hard to find the words when dealing with such grief, which is why I've been absent from Via My Viewfinder the past two weeks. Preparing for her passing, and then finally facing it, no topic felt right to talk about. Not even my photographs inspired me to blog.

I'm still not ready to say more, so I hope you can forgive me if I share the wisdom of others on the next couple of blog posts. Eventually, I'll find my voice again. Until that time, I hope you enjoy my new photographs paired with the inspirational words of great thinkers.

It's Poetry, America

The best commercial during the Super Bowl didn't advertise a product, but a new way of thinking about America and our future.

Narrated by Clint Eastwood, Chrysler's Super Bowl ad sought to inspire a struggling nation to regroup during this "halftime" in our history and rally for a better America. What made the ad copy sing was written like a poem, instead of traditional advertising copy. Paired with simple images, Chrysler let the words sink in to viewers' minds and soar.

Here's the transcript of this remarkable TV commercial as shared by The Inspiration Room™:

It’s halftime. Both teams are in their locker room discussing what they can do to win this game in the second half.

It’s halftime in America, too. People are out of work and they’re hurting. And they’re all wondering what they’re going to do to make a comeback. And we’re all scared, because this isn’t a game.

The people of Detroit know a little something about this. They almost lost everything. But we all pulled together, now Motor City is fighting again.

I’ve seen a lot of tough eras, a lot of downturns in my life. And, times when we didn’t understand each other. It seems like we’ve lost our heart at times. When the fog of division, discord, and blame made it hard to see what lies ahead.

But after those trials, we all rallied around what was right, and acted as one. Because that’s what we do. We find a way through tough times, and if we can’t find a way, then we’ll make one.

All that matters now is what’s ahead. How do we come from behind? How do we come together? And, how do we win?

Detroit’s showing us it can be done. And, what’s true about them is true about all of us.

This country can’t be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is going to hear the roar of our engines. Yeah, it’s halftime America. And, our second half is about to begin.

According to The Inspiration Room, "The Halftime in America" ad was developed at Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, by executive creative directors Mark Fitzloff and Susan Hoffman, creative directors Aaron Allen, Micahel Tabtabai and Joe Staples, copywriters Kevin Jones, Smith Henderson and Matthew Dickman, art director Jimm Lasser.

Painted Sky

It's been stormy here in Washington, DC. Since Hurricane Irene in August, it seems like we have had more rainy days than sunny ones. Even though it was a lousy way to end the summer season, the powers that be tried to make up for it.

Once afternoon thunderstorms passed through the area, DC dwellers would be treated to these spectacular sunset skies. Light from the setting sun would reflect and cascade colors upon the lingering storm clouds left in the sky. During this evening spectacle, commuters on sidewalks stop, look up and marvel at the sight.

While hustling to meet friends for dinner after work recently, I paused to take this photograph of the Smithsonian Institute American Portrait Gallery building in Penn Quarter with the brilliant sunset sky as its backdrop. What a beautiful city to live in!

Light over Dark

Lots of sad news today. Norway. Amy Winehouse. The Horn of Africa. News with tragic headlines and depressing details. Each day, we face multiple notices of passings, struggles and pain. At times it can feel overwhelming, as if we are being swallowed up by the darkness of the world.

It is an understandable perspective, but a limited view of life's big picture. While the dark elements exist around us, we are also surrounded by light and positivity as well.

In this image of the Georgetown Waterfront at twilight, you might focus just on the surrounding darkness. But look again. In the midst of the encroaching night, there are still lights present in the distance and light from what remains visible of the setting sun streak the sky. Light always accompanies dark. And hope always present in times of despair.

In spite of the upsetting news of the day, we must seek out the light in the darkness and let it guide us to through darker days.

Sailboat at Sunset

In just seconds, life can quickly change. After almost 33 years of living, it is an occurrence that I still find unsettling. I just can't get used to it.

This morning seemed normal until I checked out my Facebook feed, as I do every morning, and discovered that an old friend was having an abnormal morning. Today, she woke up to a life without her husband who died unexpectedly yesterday. I don't know the details. At this point, I don't know that it matters. One day he was here and then the next, he was gone.

This news has altered my whole day. How I will speak to people today will be different. How I will respond to situations will be different. I will be different. In a matter of moments, our lives can change in the most unexpected ways. Our challenge is to be able to adapt, but even before that, we are challenged to live in each moment as if the next one is not guaranteed.

Buddhists believe in the art of mindfulness, one of the seven factors for enlightenment. It is the practice of being present in the current moment, and not distracted by the past or the future. It is being aware of everything in order to have the presence of mind to fully embrace your own life each moment.

For example, this photograph was taken in a state of mindfulness. I took this photograph at sunset while sitting behind Mount Vernon -- George Washington's estate -- looking out over the Potomac River. Since this sailboat was so far away, most photographers might have ignored it. However, there was something so peaceful about it that I felt it was worth waiting for it to move closer to my camera position. I watched it sail through my camera lens until it was close enough to capture this image.

While in the scheme of things, especially in light of today's news, this seems very minor, it was a photograph I've always treasured and the best image I've taken of a boat at sail so far. The photograph captures a moment that I will always remember and now will not be lost. I hope my friend holds on to her own special moments whether captured on film or just in her heart, so they can bring her comfort during this difficult time.

Key Bridge at Sunset

If I could paint, I would paint sunrises and sunsets all the time. It is breathtaking to visualize the sky with such bold colors. In my humble opinion, it may be easier to capture the full beauty of the rising and the setting of the sun on canvas than in a photograph.

It is difficult with a camera to balance the combination of darkness and light that accompanies that time of day. Often, the image might be too dark and does not capture the vibrancy of dawn or dusk and leaves structures and other background subjects shrouded in shadow.

I battled with this challenge yesterday while attempting to photograph the setting sun's rays at the Georgetown Waterfront. In the distance, but in shadow, is Key Bridge and a single boat sailing on the Potomac River. While not the focus of my composition, the boat and bridge are evident enough to create an interesting layer to my photograph of sunset without stealing the spotlight from Wednesday's spectacular evening sky.

Sunset at Georgetown Waterfront

After attending the National Network to End Domestic Violence's fundraiser Chefs Take a Stand to End Domestic Violence, a group of us had dinner along the Georgetown Waterfront. We arrived just as the late sun was setting behind the Key Bridge and the sky was filled with shades of orange, pink and purple. The sunset was so beautiful; I was grateful that I had my camera with me to capture it.

Maryland or Kansas?

I am by no means a world traveler. Work trips have provided opportunities to visit new places around the country, but other than a day in Chicago and a weekend visit to Milwaukee, I have not spent much time in the Midwest. From what I have seen from photographs of the great plains, this view from the farm in Maryland could have easily been taken in Kansas, Nebraska or another Midwestern state. It is amazing how many different landscapes America offers nature photographers, sometimes several within the same state.

Fresh Start

Big news last night from the White House about the fate of the al Qaeda mastermind behind the horrific acts of terrorism over the past two decades. President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces, achieving the highest goal of the U.S. Armed Services since the September 11th attacks in New York, DC and Pennsylvania almost 10 years ago. So what's next?

Perhaps President George W. Bush in his statement yesterday succinctly summed up my thoughts:

The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done.

While bin Laden's death may bring closure to his victims' loved ones and our wounded nation, both Presidents Bush and Obama are right, our fight goes on. We cannot lose sight of our ultimate goal -- ending global terrorism.

History has shown that even though a movement may lose its figurehead, its followers may not lose their commitment to the cause. Bin Laden's death gives us a fresh start and new opportunity to destroy the roots of this violence and hatred. Our work must continue and identify the base causes of these actions and educate people to follow teachers of nonviolence, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., instead of inhumane instructors like bin Laden and his al Qaeda cronies.

Almost Sunset

This was the closest I got to capturing a Hawaiian sunset during my stay on Kaua'i. I took today's post facing the Na Pali Coast from the Hanalei Bay Resort. Due to the rain clouds in the sky, the sun's rays appear to be exploding as it dips behind the Na Pali Coast's cliffs. There are no roads along this coastline, so to see this stunning and rugged site, visitors must either hike through it, sail along it or fly over it. The fifteen-mile stretch of Na Pali coastline on Kaua'i's northwest shore literally means "the Cliffs," due to the sheer cliffs that drop straight down thousands of feet into the Pacific. It was such a spectacular sight watching this kaleidoscope of colors reflect off of the clouds, mountains and water to create this beautiful sunset painting in the sky.

Pennsylvania Sunset

Driving home from a Gettysburg National Park visit, I had to pull out my camera one more time to take some  photographs of this Pennsylvanian sunset. Once you spend several hours taking photographs, it's hard to stop. Every where you look, you find another photo opportunity. And don't be concerned; I stopped on the side of the highway to take this photo. Photography while driving definitely doesn't mix.

Sunset Shadows

Since I'm in California for a visit, it is fitting to post a local photo today. Last Christmas, I took this sunset shot near Mount Baldy in the Inland Empire. I was so pleased to capture both the color of the sky and the silhouette of the wildlife in the same image. It's a striking combination and reminder of the beauty of California twilights.